164 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS’ ENTERTAINMENTS.

and fairies danced before them ; and at last divided themselves into two
rows, through which they passed to their chambers, after which they
made obeisance and retired.

Every day spent with the fairy Perie was a continued feast, for every
day she provided new delicacies, new concerts, new dances, new shows,
and new diversions; which were all so gratifying to the senses, that
Ahmed, if he had lived a thousand years among men, could not have
experienced equal enjoyment.

The fairy’s intention was not only to give the prince convincing
proofs of her love, but to let him see that he could meet with nothing
at his father’s court comparable to the happiness he enjoyed with
pe sue hoped by those means to attach Prince Ahmed entirely to
herself.

At the end of six months Prince Ahmed felt a great desire to visit the
sultan his father, and know how he was. He mentioned his wish to
Perie Banou, who was much alarmed lest this was only an excuse to
leave her, and entreated him to forego his intention.

‘My queen,’ replied the prince, ‘I did not make the request with any
intention of displeasing you, but from a motive of respect towards my
father, who, as I have reason to presume, believes that I am dead.
But since you do not consent that I should go and comfort him by the
assurance of my life, I will deny myself the pleasure, as there is nothing
to which I would not submit to please you.’ The fairy heard the prince
say this with extreme satisfaction. ‘

In the meanwhile the Sultan of the Indies, in the midst of the re-
joicings on account of the nuptials of Prince Ali and the Princess
Nouronnihar, was deeply afilicted at the absence of the other two
princes his sons. He was soon informed of the resolution Prince
Houssain had taken to forsake the world, and as he knew that he was
alive and well, he supported his absence more patiently. He made
the most diligent search after Ahmed, and despatched couriers to all
the provinces of his dominions, with orders to the governors to stop
him, and oblige him to return to court; but all the pains he took had
not the desired success, and his affliction, instead of diminishing, in-
creased.

‘ Vizier,’ he one day said, ‘ thou knowest I always loved Ahmed the
most of all my sons. My grief is so heavy at his strange absence that
I shall sink under it. If thou hast any regard for my life, I conjure thee
to assist me, and find out where he is.’

The grand vizier, anxious to give his sovereign some case, proposed to
send for and consult a sorceress, of whom he had heard many wonders.
The sultan consented, and the grand vizier, upon her arrival, introduced
her into the presence.

The sultan said to the sorceress, ‘ Canst thou tell me by thy art and
skill what is become of Prince Ahmed, my son? If he be alive, where
is he? What is he doing? MayI hope ever to see him again?’ ‘Sire,’
replied the sorceress, ‘if you will allow me till to-morrow, I will endea-